Speaker Dade Phelan abandons bid for third term, amid bruising leadership battle

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• Texas lawmakers are scrutinizing university professors’ influence. Here's how faculty shape their universities.

  By Kate McGee 3 hours ago

  Faculty senates have long played a key role in developing curriculum and protecting open inquiry. State leaders have also accused them of liberal indoctrination. Full Story 

• A 2006 study found undocumented immigrants contribute more than they cost Texas. The state hasn’t updated it since.

  By Alejandro Serrano 3 hours ago

  A comptroller’s report found that deporting the estimated 1.4 million undocumented immigrants living in Texas in 2005 would have cost the state about $17.7 billion in gross domestic product. Full Story 

• Texas teens still required to get parental consent for birth control

  By Eleanor Klibanoff Updated: Dec. 5, 2024

  Texas dropped its lawsuit after federal health officials said they wouldn’t enforce a confidentiality regulation for minors. Full Story 

• Houston Rep. Gene Wu to lead Texas House Democrats through GOP-dominated legislative session

  By Renzo Downey Dec. 5, 2024

  Wu defeated incumbent Trey Martinez Fischer on Thursday to become the next chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus. Full Story 

• Texas weighs social media bans for minors as schools and police face challenges

  By Stephen Simpson Dec. 5, 2024

  A Texas lawmaker has introduced a bill prohibiting minors from using social media accounts as school districts become a “hunting ground” for online dangers. Full Story 

• At this Fort Worth charter school, Texas adults are getting a second chance at a diploma

  By Sneha Dey Dec. 5, 2024

  The Texas Legislature has prioritized getting high school dropouts the skills they need to enter the workforce. Full Story 

• Texas Senate to pursue ban on THC products next year, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says

  By Jasper Scherer and Alejandra Martinez Dec. 4, 2024

  Patrick contends retailers have exploited a law passed in 2019 to sell unregulated and potentially harmful consumable tetrahydrocannabinol products. Full Story 

• See final results from Texas for the November 2024 election

  By Carla Astudillo Updated: Dec. 4, 2024

  Texans voted in several races, including for the President, a U.S. Senator, U.S. House members and more. Full Story 

• If Trump makes cuts to Medicaid, Texas officials could seize the opportunity to further slash the program

  By Lomi Kriel and Jessica Priest, The Texas Tribune and ProPublica Dec. 4, 2024

  State leaders have shown a decadeslong antipathy toward the health insurance program. If Trump makes severe reductions, it’s unlikely leaders would have the political will to make up any lost federal funds with state money, experts say. Full Story 

• Henry Cuellar pitched adding buoys in Rio Grande to deter migrants years ago

  By Matthew Choi Dec. 4, 2024

  The congressman said he joined other Democrats in opposition to the use of the floating barriers and razor wire at Texas’ border because of the lack of permits. Full Story 

• After Texas banned puberty blockers and hormones for trans kids, adults lost care, too

  By Eleanor Klibanoff Dec. 4, 2024

  As limitations on trans teens increase, doctors have left the state, weakening an already threadbare system for trans adults. Full Story 

• Texas conservatives plan to further restrict trans lives this legislative session

  By Eleanor Klibanoff Dec. 4, 2024

  Emboldened by the recent election, some Texas lawmakers are already filing bills that would dictate bathroom use, limit gender identity markers on documents and restrict funding for surgeries. Full Story 

• Texas’ push to meet soaring power demand with nuclear energy could spark uranium mining revival

  By Dylan Baddour, Inside Climate News Dec. 4, 2024

  State leaders want nuclear reactors to provide consistent, low-carbon power to large industrial facilities. But in South Texas, locals worry what a uranium mining boom could mean for their groundwater. Full Story 

• Grid operator says Texas is better prepared for extreme cold this winter

  By Kayla Guo Updated: Dec. 3, 2024

  ERCOT says conditions this winter could spark extreme cold, but additional power supply and continued weatherization efforts will lower the risk of power outages. Full Story 

• Watch a daylong preview of the 2025 legislative session

  By Texas Tribune Events Staff Updated: Dec. 3, 2024

  Join us beginning at 9 a.m. CT Wednesday when we’ll explore state lawmakers’ top priorities and what’s ahead for Texans. Full Story 

• Daniel Pullin will become new Texas Christian University chancellor as longtime leader leaves role

  By Shomial Ahmad, Fort Worth Report Dec. 3, 2024

  Victor Boschini is stepping down next year, but will remain chancellor emeritus. Under his leadership, the university reached a $1 billion fundraising goal. Full Story